Isaiah 7:16

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

For before the child {H5288} shall know {H3045} to refuse {H3988} the evil {H7451}, and choose {H977} the good {H2896}, the land {H127} that thou abhorrest {H6973} shall be {H6440} forsaken {H5800} of both {H8147} her kings {H4428}.

Yes, before the child knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be left abandoned.

For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken.

Commentary

Isaiah 7:16 is a crucial verse within the context of God's message of reassurance to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of great national crisis. It elaborates on the timing of the prophecy given in Isaiah 7:14 regarding the sign of Immanuel, specifically addressing the imminent downfall of Judah's enemies.

Context

King Ahaz of Judah was facing a formidable threat from an alliance between King Rezin of Syria (Aram) and King Pekah of Israel (Ephraim). These two northern kingdoms were besieging Jerusalem, aiming to depose Ahaz and install a puppet king (Isaiah 7:6). Ahaz and his people were "moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind" (Isaiah 7:2) due to their fear. The prophet Isaiah was sent by God to assure Ahaz that this conspiracy would not succeed and that he should not fear (Isaiah 7:4). When Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, God, through Isaiah, declared the sign of Immanuel. Verse 16 then clarifies that before this child (often interpreted as either the immediate sign of Maher-shalal-hash-baz or the prophetic Immanuel) reached an age of moral discernment, the lands of Syria and Israel would be devastated.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Assurance and Timing: The verse provides a specific, near-term timeline for the fulfillment of God's promise. The phrase "before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" signifies a very short period, emphasizing the swiftness of God's intervention. This was meant to alleviate Ahaz's immediate terror.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Despite the overwhelming military threat, God declares His control over the destiny of nations. Syria and Israel, though powerful, were merely instruments in God's larger plan, and their end was decreed. The historical fulfillment came when the Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-pileser III, conquered Damascus (Syria) and parts of Israel (2 Kings 16:9; 2 Kings 15:29).
  • The Nature of Prophecy: This verse illustrates how biblical prophecy can have both immediate and long-range fulfillment. While it provided comfort in Ahaz's time, it also points to the broader prophetic narrative that culminates in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (Hebrew: yada' lema'os bara' u'bachor batov) indicates a stage of early childhood development, typically before the age of reason or full moral accountability. It doesn't imply total moral innocence but rather a lack of mature discernment. This precise timing underscores the immediacy and certainty of the divine judgment upon Judah's adversaries. The "land that thou abhorrest" refers to the combined territories of Syria and Ephraim (Israel), which Ahaz greatly feared.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 7:16 offers a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His perfect timing. When faced with overwhelming circumstances or threats, this verse encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Promises: Just as God reassured Ahaz, He provides comfort and assurance to us. We can rely on His Word, knowing that His plans will prevail, even when our circumstances seem dire.
  • Look Beyond Immediate Fears: Ahaz was consumed by fear of his enemies. This prophecy encouraged him to look beyond the immediate threat to God's sovereign control. We too are called to fix our eyes on God, rather than our fears.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: This passage reinforces the truth that God is in control of history and the rise and fall of nations. This provides a foundation for hope and peace, even in turbulent times.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 8:4 (5 votes)

    For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

  • Deuteronomy 1:39 (4 votes)

    Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

  • Hosea 5:9 (2 votes)

    Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.

  • 2 Kings 16:9 (2 votes)

    And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried [the people of] it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

  • Isaiah 9:11 (2 votes)

    Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

  • Amos 1:3 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

  • Amos 1:5 (2 votes)

    I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.